PCB maker Allied Circuit (ACCL) held its earnings call on December 6, during which spokesman Tony Chan predicted a better fourth quarter in 2023 compared to the third quarter and four to six weeks of order visibility in an optimistic forecast for the first half of 2024.
Pure-play foundry United Microelectronics (UMC) has reported revenue decreased 2.1% sequentially and 16.7% on year to NT$18.79 billion (US$596.4 million) in November 2023.
Taiwan-based power management IC (PMIC) suppliers are looking to penetrate the supply chain for AI servers, with many of them also developing server-use motor drive ICs, according to industry sources.
TSMC has struck a deal with labor unions in Arizona concerning one of the most cutting-edge wafer fabs in the US. With lower-than-expected progress at the fab, this agreement is anticipated to streamline the facility's construction.
Despite recent skepticism about TSMC's plan to set up a factory in Germany in light of the country's budget crisis, the firm has stated that it has not aborted this project. Challenges facing the company include the high energy prices in Germany, cultural differences, disputes about German governmental subsidies, labor shortages, and strong union presence in Germany. Addressing the human resource issues, TSMC has opened up internship opportunities to non-science majors in Taiwan.
According to industry sources, more cloud service providers (CSP) are building their own AI chips, which benefits Taiwan-based ASIC service and silicon IP providers.
Western Digital has informed customers that prices for NAND flash memory may rise by up to 55% in the coming quarters, according to industry sources.
The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is set to implement the Taiwan Chip-driven Industrial Innovation Program (TCIIP) in January 2024, a collaborative effort with various government agencies. Key players in the Taiwanese IC design industry express optimism that the program will fortify the talent ecosystem, attracting global professionals crucial for semiconductor development.
TXC, a Taiwan-based quartz component supplier, is bullish on demand for automotive and AI device applications despite unfavorable macro conditions affecting near-term demand.
Samsung Electronics is actively expanding its 4nm foundry customers. It's reported that VisioNexT, a subsidiary of the Hanwha Group, will place orders with Samsung to manufacture 4nm AI chips. The hope is that this move can bring breakthroughs in the vision AI sector.
Niching Industrial, which sells IC packaging materials, anticipates vapor chamber sales will grow over 50% year on year in 2024. Increasing sales of vapor chambers is part of the company's transformation efforts.
